Help with a 1950s Schwinn American

[Wildcat]

That blue paint came back very nicely!

 

[us56456712]

I'v. made plenty of shift pins out of 16 penny nails .
Cool bike clean it ,new tires
And grease and id ride it as is.

~Rafael~

The shift pin is missing, thanks for the fix idea. I wonder if a piece of a wheel spoke would also work?

 

[5speed]

the orig seat looks like a 1 year only 57,the bike came with a manual 2 speed and front[expensive when you find em]brakes mounted on the front fork,even the rubber pads have schwinn on em

 

[us56456712]

I'v. made plenty of shift pins out of 16 penny nails .
Cool bike clean it ,new tires
And grease and id ride it as is.

~Rafael~

I dismantled the wheels as there were numerous flat spots and wowed out areas, probably from running curbs. The wheels were not out of round. The shift pin appears to be there but it is frozen in the hub. I soaked it and will let it sit with occasional soakings with PB for about 6 months. The spoke nipples are brass and longer than what is used now. Standard lengths is 12mm, the brass Schwinn ones are 19mm.

 

[Alienbaby17]

Here's an example of an American I picked up at a car swap meet a year ago. I think I got it for $85. I believe it's a 1955 model and pretty much all OG with the two speed and unusual front brake.